Light Strawberry Layer Cake

Name: Light Strawberry Layer Cake
Ingredients: 1 (15.25 ounce) package white cake mix (such as Pillsbury(R) Moist Supreme Classic White Cake Mix); 1 cup water; 3 eggs; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1 (3 ounce) package strawberry-flavored gelatin (such as Jell-O(R)); 4 teaspoons strawberry extract, divided; 2 cups fresh strawberries; 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, or more to taste; Frosting:; 1 pint heavy cream; 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, or more to taste; 2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract

13 ingredients

8 steps

Ingredients

1 (15.25 ounce) package white cake mix (such as Pillsbury(R) Moist Supreme Classic White Cake Mix)
1 cup water
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 (3 ounce) package strawberry-flavored gelatin (such as Jell-O(R))
4 teaspoons strawberry extract, divided
2 cups fresh strawberries
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, or more to taste
Frosting:
1 pint heavy cream
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, or more to taste
2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract

Directions

1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line three 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
2

Beat cake mix, water, eggs, and oil in a bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour 1/3 of the batter into one of the prepared pans. Mix 1/2 of the strawberry-flavored gelatin and 2 teaspoons strawberry extract into the remaining batter. Divide between the remaining 2 pans.
3

Bake cakes in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Line a large wire rack with parchment paper. Invert cakes onto the rack; let cool completely.
4

Set aside 9 to 12 whole strawberries for decoration. Chop remaining strawberries and pat dry with a paper towel.
5

Beat cream cheese with the remaining strawberry-flavored gelatin. Add remaining 2 teaspoons strawberry extract and confectioners' sugar; beat until filling is smooth. Fold in chopped strawberries.
6

Place 1 pink layer on a cake plate. Cover with 1/2 of the strawberry filling. Add the plain cake layer. Cover with remaining strawberry filling and position second pink layer on top.
7

Make frosting by beating heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla extract together until dense enough to spread. Spread frosting over the top and sides of the cake. Place a piece of parchment paper on top of the cake. Run spatula over the paper to smooth the top. Peel off the paper.
8

Pipe 9 to 12 swirls of frosting around the rim of the cake; place whole strawberries on top.